Commercial.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 115, 26 November 1858, Page 2

Commercial.

MELBOURNE. Tke Age of the 9th instant reports— Business iri the import market has 'opened veiy quietly to-day, and if any change is apparent, it is an easier tone on the part of holders, attributable chiefly to the large arrivals at fche end of last week. The prospect of the mail's appearance produces no observable effect. Though the Columbian's previous performances encourage the expectation that she will not be quite so far behind her time as some of her predecessors, it would be in contradiction to all our experience to look for her so soon after the 6fch. In fact we have been accus*omed fco delay, and should be disappointed rather than otherwise were the Columbian to prove punctual, and appear in the Bay within a week of the day fixed by contract. Flour and Grain.—There has been a fair business doing, chiefly in provender stuffs, which have improved in value. The unfavorable report of the approaching hay harvest is the foundation of the present rise in the price of Scotch and Irish oats, and notwithstanding the heavy arrivals jusfc to hand, both buyers and holders are gaining confidence. Flour is dull of sale, the recent small decline having intimidated 'buyers from adding anything to tlieir present stocks. In the absence of any transactions of magnitude, we quote the prices of last week:—ln wheat and bran little or no change. Scotch and Irish oats have im* proved in value fully 6d. per bushel, bufc no buyers except needy ones have gone in at tlie present advance. Californian and colonial are without material change-. Barley dull of sale. Maize is in better request, but . without alteration.-. .......> Sugar and Tea.—Prices are. firm, though bufc little is doing in teas.. The recent heavy sales of sugar appear to have fully supplied the trade; but though the sale is for a time less, prices are well maintained. The sales this, week' are good counters ex Leopold. £36 to £42 1.05.; dark crystals, £41 Ss!; light dittoj £44 15s. to £46. . Bear's Circular reports tho state of the Money Market as follows:—"This market is still in a state of stagnation from want of securities. Loans to a small amount on suburban property havo been ncgociated at 10 per cent. This may be quoted as the nominal rate of interest. We have every reason to believe that on first-class securities of £1000 and upwards for a number of years, money could be procured at 8 por cent.'